The former France international has been training with the Gunners in recent weeks, and manager Arsene Wenger has indicated that he could replicate last year’s move.

But Red Bulls Head of Global Soccer Houllier, a former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager, said he did not believe his countryman would end up going to north London once more when the transfer window opens.

Houllier denied there had been any contact between the clubs about a loan, telling Canal Plus: "For the moment, we haven't had an official request from Arsenal to take Thierry on loan for a month.

"It seems strange what can be read in the press right now, because I imagine that, if Arsene needed Thierry Henry, he would have approached either Andy Roxburgh, the sporting director of the NY Red Bulls, or myself.

"That, though, has not been the case. I'm not sure both parties want a second comeback. I think Thierry needs to rest and have a holiday. Added to that, he's just become a dad - I think he's going to really take advantage of this break."

Speculation that the move would suit both parties heightened as the manager revealed he could be in the market for attacking reinforcements in January.

But after saying that he would “not rule out” signing Henry, he dampened expectations that the move would happen.

"I said I don't rule it out because he's in good shape, but I haven't made up my mind yet,” he told the Gunners’ official website.

"I haven't spoken to Thierry about it. I just answered a question honestly that I have not completely decided how I will sort it out in my head. We are maybe looking at a striker because Gervinho is going to the Africa Cup of Nations."

New York Red Bulls’ Roxburgh said: "In general terms, I wouldn't say it [a loan move] would be something we would favour.”